Understanding cataract surgery fees in Australia

The cost of cataract surgery in Australia includes 10 separate components:
1. Fee for your initial consult
2. Fee for your eye measurements (called biometry)
3. Surgeon’s fee
4. Anaesthetist’s fee
5. Hospital fee
6. Fee for lens implant
7. Post-operative eyedrops
8. Post-operative clinic visits (usually covered by Medicare)
9. YAG laser capsulotomy
10. Fee for surgical revisions and adjustments (hopefully not required)
If you are not insured for cataract surgery, your total out of pocket cost will be somewhere between two thousand dollars and six thousand dollars per eye, depending on the treatment you are having.
If you have private health insurance for cataract surgery then your insurance will bring down the cost of your care by several thousand dollars per eye.
When comparing different fees for cataract surgery, always ensure that you are comparing the total out of pocket cost of your entire treatment journey. And always compare quality (compare "apples with apples").
About Dr Nick Andrew:
Dr Nick Andrew MBBS FRANZCO PhD is an Australian ophthalmologist with specific expertise in state-of-the-art cataract surgery, micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, and complex surgery of the iris and lens. He has published over 45 articles in international ophthalmic journals and is co-host of a leading podcast for ophthalmologists. His office, Sight Specialists, is located in Southport, Gold Coast.
Learn more at www.sightspecialists.com.au.